As the world unites to take action on climate change, iconic landmarks across Asia and Europe went dark for Earth Hour, symbolizing a collective commitment to a sustainable future.
Every year since 2007, people have been urged to switch off their lights in a symbolic show of support for environmental awareness. The WWF says the campaign is a reminder to take climate action before it’s too late.
Earth Hour is an annual global event where individuals, communities, and businesses come together to take action on climate change by turning off their lights for one hour.
Started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, it has grown into a worldwide movement with over 180 countries participating.
The event aims to raise awareness about the impact of energy consumption and promote sustainable living practices.
Cities across Asia and Europe came together on Saturday night to mark Earth Hour, plunging iconic landmarks into darkness in a symbolic demonstration of solidarity for the planet. The annual campaign by environmental NGO WWF aims to demand urgent action to address the climate crisis and raise awareness of global environmental issues.
A Global Event with a Local Touch
The Sky Tower and Harbour Bridge in Auckland, New Zealand were among the first to go dark at 8:30pm local time (7:30am GMT). Famous landmarks further east in Asia and Europe then joined in as the clock struck 8:30pm, including the ‘Sydney Opera House’, the Gardens by the Bay park in Singapore, ‘Wat Arun temple’ in Bangkok, Berlin‘s Brandenburg Gate, and the London Eye in the UK.
“Every light turned off is a step towards a sustainable future.” said Chadchart Sittipunt, Bangkok Governor. People who had gathered at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin to mark the event sang songs such as ‘What a Wonderful World’ by Louis Armstrong or John Lennon‘s ‘Imagine.’.
The Power of Collective Action
Earth Hour was launched in Australia in 2007, and has since grown into a worldwide annual event that sees entire city skylines and streets go dark to raise awareness of the climate crisis. The campaign invites people to ‘give an hour for Earth, spending 60 minutes doing something — anything — positive for our planet,‘ including planting trees and reducing energy consumption.
In a statement ahead of the 19th edition of the event, Kirsten Schuijt, WWF International Director General said, ‘The stakes have never been higher. The past year was the hottest on record—capping off the hottest decade, with the hottest seas ever recorded.’ She added, ‘We’ve witnessed historic wildfires, storms, and droughts as well. Our world is in peril and we are rapidly approaching dangerous climate tipping points beyond which key ecosystems may never be able to recover.
